Background
We last featured the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy in 2022, when theatre managers had just made the decision to purchase surgical trolleys for its main theatre complex in the south wing of the building.
The team had conducted extensive trials, before choosing Anetic Aid's QA4 Mobile Surgery Systems - devices that combine the features of an operating table with those of a transport trolley, enabling them to maximise patient capacity - and safety of both patients and staff - because of the reduced manual handling required.
Orthopaedic teams at the hospital are now using these systems in combination with a specialist operating table accessory to drive that improved patient throughput in one of the most common surgical procedures: hip replacement.
Approach
Patient positioning for hip surgery has always required a combination of supports, back and front, to hold the patient securely in a lateral position.
And there is now a specially created product called the HipFix™, which has been developed by Opitek, a Danish company with a production site 20km north of Copenhagen.
The HipFix™ features a unique three-point fixation, securing both sides of the iliac crest plus the sacrum, giving the surgeon maximum access while maintaining total stability. Although the position is rigidly maintained, there is no external pressure of the abdomen, ensuring greater patient comfort.
As Team Lead of Anaesthetics across Victoria Hospital's Phase 3 Theatres Kirsty Russell explains: 'Before the HipFix™, we had used a similar system but not one created for this kind of surgery. It had a square support at the back, and a cylindrical one at the front and was fixed into position via a ratchet.
'The HipFix™ offers much more stability because the support is bigger at the back, which is particularly significant when inputting the implant. All the elements are clamped, so it is very table - once in place, they do not move.'
And ODP Rachel Campbell added: 'We find it really easy to set up too — it's generally a two-person job as you adjust it with the patient on the trolley, and the surgeon often helps to ensure the position - whether higher up or lower down the table - is exactly what they want.'
Anetic Aid's Regional Account Manager in Scotland is Stuart Christie, who has worked closely with the team in Fife to offer demonstrations and training whenever they have brought in new equipment from the company's range. He's pictured below helping Kirsty and Rachel show the ease of set up when attached the HipFix™ to one of their QA4 models.
Outcome
Theatre teams have had QA4s for about four years now, and Kirsty sees its use together with the HipFix™ as a highly effect combination.
'When I look back, it is 100% easier without the patient transfers,' she says, 'in terms of throughput, I think we are probably able to do an additional hip replacement in every list, with the added benefit of improved staff safety because of the reduced lifting hand handling.
'And as an accessory, the HipFix™ can also be used for other procedures requiring lateral positioning: Achilles tendon repairs, foot procedures, even abscesses.
'We are also pleased that it is now being supplied with reusable pads - with the drive to be green, it means there is a cost effective and environmentally friendly option.'
Another development on the site of the Victoria Hospital is the purpose-built, state-of-the-art National Treatment Centre - dedicated to planned (elective) orthopaedic surgery across Fife - which opened its doors in 2023.
Surgeons including Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Mrs Sarah Mitchell are also using the HipFix™ in the theatre complex there too, and not just for hip replacement.
Said Mrs Mitchell: 'I have been using the equipment for two or three years now for all sorts of lateral procedures - elbows, back of leg, upper limb etc. I find it easy to use and that it offers both stability and good surgical access.'
As well as supplying the QA4 Mobile Surgery System, which is designed and built as its factory in Hampshire, Anetic Aid is also the exclusive UK distributor for the Opitek System.
Said Product Manager Mark Lee: 'As a manufacturer ourselves, we have always been impressed by the quality of the HipFix™ and we are delighted to partner with a company like Opitek to supply such an effective piece of equipment.'
For more information on the HipFix™, visit the product page here --> HipFix™
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